Vixen Chat: Ledisi Talks Revamping Her Image, Working with Lauryn Hill and Dancing in 6-Inch Heels

Vixen

You’ve described your upcoming album, The Truth, as your most personal project yet. What will listeners be most surprised by?

The honesty and love of self. They’re gonna go wild because it’s so honest. It’s still Ledisi because she’s still singin her face off (laughs). The whole thing as a body of work is personal, but the title track and another song- I don’t want to give it away- are the deepest. But, when you hear it, you’ll go, “Woah, this is real honest” (laughs).

What is the most honest album you’ve heard as a fan?

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. She’s herself. It wasn’t something that was planned. Bob Marley would be the other. All of his stuff is honest, open and personal. When you are yourself, you can tell it’s not planned. You can tell it’s that person being themselves; no stylist put it together and said, “This is who you’re going to be.” They are being who they are in that stage of their life. What I found about Lauryn Hill and what I love about her still is that she’s being who she is in that moment. You can put her in a box of how you want her to be, but she’s always going to be herself. I love that about honest people; if you love them- love them all the way. I’ll always be a fan no matter what. I had the pleasure of working with her briefly and she was herself just like she was on the album.

When will we see a video for “I Blame You?”

The album comes out February of next year, but as far as the video, I do not have a clue. But I can’t wait for you to see it. It’s directed by Derek Blanks and we worked on the concept together because it’s my life (laughs). It’s funny, fabulous and fashion forward.